Estrogen deficiency

Even though estrogen dominance is a more common hormonal imbalance, estrogen deficiency happens quite often and can have incredibly uncomfortable symptoms associated with it. Low estrogen levels have traditionally been associated with perimenopause but we’re learning that more young women have this issue than previously thought.

Why Estrogen Becomes Low

Estrogen is made in the ovaries and to some degree in fat tissues. Anything that interferes with the normal hormonal signaling cascade at the level of the ovaries can decrease the production of estrogen.

All of these underlying issues act at the level of the ovaries and the rest of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-ovarian axis to throw things off kilter.

Estrogen and Fat

Since fat tissues in the body are in part responsible for the creation of balanced estrogen levels in females, women with really low body fat percentages or who exercise intensely can see a drop in their hormone levels. That’s usually why we have ladies modulate their exercise based on their cycle. This doesn’t mean that all athletes have to drop their exercise goals, however; it’s simply living more in acknowledgement of the built-in feminine cycles we constantly have going on.

Low fat intake in the diet–thanks to decades of the “low fat” craze–is also a cause of estrogen deficiency. We love a tablespoon of coconut oil or coconut manna for this reason before bed and adding high-quality fats to our daily meals. By giving the body the building blocks to create hormones, it’s a simple way to fight symptoms like low libido, chronic fatigue, and irregular periods.

You’ll notice that much of this list looks an awful lot like the one for estrogen dominance!

Don’t forget: symptoms alone aren’t a great way to figure out what’s going on. There’s too much overlap and variation between women to make this quite so straightforward.

Real Life Example

I (Alex) expected to have estrogen deficiency because of my long history of endometriosis and low ovarian reserve. But my DUTCH test results didn’t show that this time around!

I had several issues that made me more of a target to develop estrogen dominance (like leftover artificial hormones from IVF and gut dysfunction leading to poor liver detoxification from my Celiac disease).

However, I also think I didn’t drop my estrogen levels as low as I would have expected because I’ve done so much of the lifestyle work in this department.

This is true for all hormonal imbalances but estrogen deficiency in younger women generally requires even more of a focus on stress management and lifestyle considerations.

As a society, we like to think that being go-go-go all the time makes you a great employee, boss, mother, and partner, but the truth is that all of that physical, emotional, and mental stress acts as a very powerful damper on our hormonal systems.

Quite frankly, most animals are built to avoid pregnancy during stressful or resource-poor times.

Reversing Triggers and Helping Boost Repair

If your body is always getting the fight-or-flight input from your central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), it will downregulate all functions having to do with repair, regeneration, and creation…and that means low estrogen levels.

Meditation, breathwork, cutting down on caffeine/alcohol, and neurofeedback can make HUGE differences in helping downregulate a worked up central nervous system and re-establish normal hormonal levels.

Of course, there are plenty of supplements that can support this process as well, such as supplemental neurotransmitters, flax seeds, L-theanine, maca root, and magnesium. But just like in estrogen dominance–and all hormonal imbalances–it’s first important to figure out what specific imbalance is occurring in the rest of the hormones that interface with estrogen.

Up Next in the Series

Our discussion of hormonal imbalances couldn’t possibly be complete unless we discuss the role of functional medicine. After wasting years and years trying out random supplements, going from practitioner to practitioner, and never really getting anywhere, we believe in the “test, don’t guess” approach…wholeheartedly!

XOXO,

Want more great content from us? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get recipes, health tips, and fun new ways to transform your health!

Getting gorgeous skin involves getting healthy from the inside out! Get our FREE Detox Skin Care Guide which will help you pinpoint the root cause of your skin issues and provide a step-by-step guide to tackling them!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Want more great content from us? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get recipes, health tips, and fun new ways to transform your health!

OOOH,thats sound nice...

UM,no thanks

WOO! HOO!

____________________________

Want more great content from us? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get recipes, health tips, and fun new ways to transform your health!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Beauty Counter Guide

____________________________

We've tested the products & checked the pricing... so you don't have to! Grab this FREE Beauty Counter guide to learn which of their products we love & and which ones are not worth the investment (and what to buy instead)!!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Gift Giving Guide

____________________________

Want amazing gifts that your holistic friends and family will love AND will make them healthier?! Check out our FREE guide to see our favorite gifts!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

3 Day Sugar Reset

____________________________

Did you know that sugar is a toxin? Too much glucose in the blood leads to digestive issues, blood sugar imbalances, fatigue, and a whole host of chronic conditions. Let's kick the white stuff to the curb!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Fatigue Fix Guide

____________________________

Understand the root causes of fatigue with the FREE section of our fatigue fix guide so that you can restore energy naturally!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Healthy Hormones Program Raffle!

____________________________

Enter your name to win a complimentary spot in our Healthy Hormones Group Program (Valued at $899)!! For serious applicants only who are willing to run the 2 labs suggests (lab fees not included, around $415).

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Want to Stop the Crazy?

____________________________

We've teamed up with Eating Psychology coach Stacie to offer a 6 week journey to change your relationship with food and your body. Want to end the battle and stop feeling "out of control"? Jump on this early update list!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Do You Need To Detox?

____________________________

Do you have these common complaints? Take our 10 question quiz to see if your liver needs some love! PLUS 2 bonus guides; Teas and Herbs for Detox an Essential Oils for Detox.

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Elixir Add-in

____________________________

Wondering what's the best add-ins are for your Elixirs, and what they do for your body? Enter to receive a copy!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Mindset Makeover

____________________________

Want to get the Mindset Makeover Handout? Enter to receive a copy!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Want Better Periods? Honor Your Cycle!

____________________________

Wondering how to navigate and honor your WILD FEMININE CYCLE instead of fighting against it?
Enter to your email to receive the FREE starter guide for healthy hormones!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

We have a new program in the works!!

____________________________

We will be exploring how to detox and work WITH your cycle instead of against it. Sign up below if you want to get notified as soon as it is ready.

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Top 10 Crunchy Feminine Products

____________________________

Enter to your name and email to receive this FREE GUIDE!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Baby Gift Guide

____________________________

Enter to your name and email to receive this FREE GUIDE!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Are you local to Virginia Beach?

____________________________

Subscribe to get notifications for local events

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

7 Day Free Cycle Challenge

____________________________

Sign-up with your name and email address to get started!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Pregnancy Guide

____________________________

Register to get your copy of the Holistic Pregnancy Guide

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Do you want to become a Health Coach?

____________________________

FREE Guide about becoming a FDN health coach or wanting to grow their business! This is a Q and A guide with the Top 10 questions about doing the work that I do. Included in this guide are my opinions about the programs I did as well as some of my favorite business resources.

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Healthy Hormones Group Program Waitlist

____________________________

Enter your Name and Email below to be the first to receive the information about our next Healthy Hormones Group Program on September 2018!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Did You Get Glutened?

____________________________

Enter your Name and Email below to get the Gluten Rescue Guide to help you minimize the effects of gluten exposure!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Stress Much?!

____________________________

Enter your name and email below to take these surveys to get an idea of where you are on the stress scale!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

CBD Oil Waitlist

____________________________

Enter your name and email below to be the first to receive the information about next batch of the CBD Oils!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Autoimmunity Interview with Torea?

____________________________

Enter your name and email below to receive the replay video!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Detox Smoothie Guide

____________________________

Enter your name and email below to receive the 9 delicious smoothies that will change your life. Start drinking your way to a magnificent body, more energy and feeling fabulous!!

YOUR NAME:

YOUR EMAIL:

Black Friday VIP Notification List

____________________________

Enter your name and email below to be the first to receive the notification for the Black Friday VIP Sale!